EDMONTON -- Frank Mir is totally at peace with all the curveballs life has thrown at his career.

Which seems appropriate, considering his last name, translated from Russian, means peace.

“My name is Mir and my father came from Cuba and my ancestors from Morocco,” said the former UFC heavyweight champ, who grew up in Las Vegas. “We know there was a tribe of Russians there named Mir, which means peace. It’s funny because that’s the kind of guy I am as a person. I have a very laid-back demeanour.”

Mir was taking a break from his second promotional appearance at the south side’s Reflex Nutrition, whose owner Richard Seguin is Mir’s nutritional consultant.

The lineup of fans, who paid 20 bucks apiece to get a chance to meet Mir and get their picture taken with him, stretched out into the parking lot. Proceeds from the photo shoot went to the BEAR’s Children’s Wish Fund.

“Any time I have an opportunity to meet people and express my love for martial arts, what it does for me and how it’s helped me in my life, that’s a positive thing,” said Mir. “That’s one thing I can do that’s meaningful in my career. If I can have a positive influence on someone’s life, it adds a bit of meaning to what I do.”

Mir’s first ascent to the top of the UFC heavyweight heap happened back on June 19, 2004 when he won the title.

Less than two months later, Mir found out fame can be fleeting. In a Sept. 17 motorcycle accident, he broke his femur in two places and tore knee ligaments. After undergoing surgery, he eventually was stripped of the title due to his inability to defend it.

Many lesser human beings may not have been able to step back into the octagon, but Mir has gamely taken a long and, at times, painful path back to respectability.

“Suffering is what’s good for you in life,” said Mir. “Any time anybody goes through hardship in life, they’re always better. Like Nietsche says whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.

“Obviously, we enjoy the good moments in life that we have, but it wasn’t for the tough moments in life, we wouldn’t be who we are and what we are.”

Mir was 8-1 when he won the title and has only been able to post a 5-4 record since, including a KO loss to Shane Carwin in UFC 111 on March 27.

“On a positive note, I’m only 30 years old,” said Mir, the UFC’s NO. 5-ranked heavyweight. “I’ve had quite a few fights and have quite a few fights ahead of me.”

He’s won and lost to current champ Brock Lesnar in non-title fights, later apologizing when he vowed to break Lesnar’s neck.

“Had I went on to beat Lesnar (the second time), maybe the movie may have come to an end,” said Mir. “I mean, what’s left? This gives me something to do every day. Now, I have to battle my way up to the top of the heavyweight picture. Now, I have something to strive for. I’m not really somebody who enjoys accomplishments.”

For Mir, most of the thrill is in the chase.

“Obviously, you want to have those moments,” said Mir. “Even after I won the first title, I was happy for about 20 minutes after winning it. I walked up to the room, looked at the belt and said ‘this is great.’ Then, there’s a huge depression that hits you afterward like ‘man, this is it?’

“Really you can get depressed when there’s nothing more in life to push for. After this last loss, I have a lot of things to prove.”

Not the least of which is the path to Lesnar just got longer.

“I guess that’s up to them (UFC),” said Mir about a possible rubber match. “If they don’t, it’s an opportunity missed and that’s just the way life works some times.”